9.6.1. Instructions.

9.6.1.1. Wear Instructions. This section prescribes the standardized uniform worn by Civil Air Patrol honor guards. This uniform is approved for wear during honor guard duties and performances only. Only those items described in this chapter may be worn. Items such as blue ascots with BDUs, boots with the Service Dress uniform, swords, “Smokey Bear” hats, etc., are not permitted. National Cadet Competition drill teams, color guards, or other CAP special teams will not wear this uniform. Since this uniform is a specialized uniform worn in a specific manner, wearing instructions and grooming standards are included in this chapter. Honor guard members may find it beneficial to have two Service Dress uniforms, one for every day CAP wear and one for honor guard performances, and two pairs of low quarter shoes, one pair with Honor Guard taps and one without.

9.6.1.2. Composition. The Honor Guard Uniform consists of the Service Dress uniform coat with or without epaulets and slacks/trousers, male service cap with Cadet Officer cap device, white ascot with Honor Guard patch, metallic silver shoulder cord, white pistol belt, white gloves, and a brown non-operating parade rifle with white leather sling. Helmets or helmet liners will not be used. Either the old or new style of Service Dress may be worn; however, all members of an honor guard should be in the same style, if possible. The old style service uniform will be phased out 1 August 2021. This uniform is authorized for year-round wear. The colors element flag bearers will wear white flag slings instead of white pistol belts. The guards will wear pistol belts. See Table 3-1.

9.6.1.3. Bayonets, swords, or sabers will not be used under any circumstances.

9.6.2. Use of USAF Honor Guard Uniforms or Equipment. The use of USAF Honor Guard uniforms or equipment is prohibited. This includes base honor guards, The USAF Honor Guard (based at Bolling AFB, DC), and USAF Honor Guard uniforms purchased or procured by any means.

9.6.3. Colors Elements. Flag bearers wear flag slings instead of the white pistol belts. The flag sling shoulder straps will go under the epaulets. The trousers or slacks of the service dress uniform will not be bloused. Leggings, helmets, helmet liners, or white shoelaces will not be used.

9.6.4. Grooming Standards. All grooming standards will be met. Jewelry will not be worn, except small silver ball earrings may be worn by females. Watches will not to be worn while in the Honor Guard Uniform.

9.6.5. Service Dress Honor Guard Uniform. This uniform is worn as for the Service Dress (Class A New Style or Old Style) with the additional insignia and wear instructions listed below under Honor Guard distinctives.

9.6.6. Blue Service Honor Guard Uniform. This uniform is as for the Blue Service Uniform (Class B) with the additional insignia and wear instructions listed below under Honor Guard distinctives.

9.6.7. Honor Guard Distinctives. These items compose the unique components and wear instructions of the Honor Guard Uniform.

9.6.7.1. Service Dress Coat. Standard blue service uniform coat with or without epaulets will be worn with the Service Dress Honor Guard Uniform.

9.6.7.1.1. Either style may be worn; however, all members of the team should be the same, if possible. Coat and slacks/trousers will match in shade and material. All appropriate insignia will be worn. The old-style Service Coat will not be worn after 01 August 2021.

9.6.7.1.2. Iron the lapels of the coat down to ensure all buttons of the coat are displayed. When blousing (tucking) a service dress uniform coat, a minimum of two people should be used; the person being bloused (tucked) is the “blousee,” and the person blousing the member is the “blouser”. Adjust the web belt to fit very tightly around the waist. The web belt will rest between the second and third button of your uniform (new uniform) or third and fourth button (old uniform) parallel to the ground all around. The belt will initially feel tight but the discomfort will diminish over time. The “blousee” should hold the belt in the approximate position where the belt will be fastened with some slack being provided for the “blouser’s” hands. The “blousee” positions his/her hands along two side seams on the back of the coat. The “blouser” will pull the excess material from the front of the uniform and fold it underneath the two side seams with the edge of the fold toward the arms. When bloused, the entire uniform will appear neat, wrinkle-free, and without bunches. The “blousee” then fastens the belt in front and checks for comfort and appearance. The “blousee” re-checks the belt and places the two keepers two finger widths from the nickel belt buckle on both sides of the buckle.

9.6.7.2. Shirt/Blouse. When worn as the Blue Service Honor Guard uniform (without the Service Coat), shirt is worn with all appropriate insignia. The pistol belt and shoulder cord are worn as with Service Dress coat. Shirt/blouse will be well-ironed using sizing with sharp creases in both sleeves. Creases must be centered on the epaulet of the shirt/blouse. No other creases are authorized.

9.6.7.3. Slacks/Trousers. Female team members will only wear slacks with the Honor Guard uniform. When sitting down in service dress slacks/trousers, be sure to roll the excess material located under the knees into a neat fold to prevent wrinkling. The trousers or slacks of the Service Dress uniform will not be bloused nor will leggings be worn.

9.6.7.4. Footwear. Low quarter (double or triple-soled authorized); high gloss or poromeric with metal horseshoe taps on heels only. The shoes will be clean and well shined. Use edge dressing on the soles and heels of the shoes. Tuck the bows on the shoestrings into the shoe. Horseshoe taps will be worn on the heel of the shoe. Small (approximately 2” x 1”) rectangular metal plates (cheaters) will be worn centered on the inside heel edge. Rubber washers may be placed between the tap and the heel so that the tap protrudes about ½ inch as needed. Make sure the “cheaters” are rounded on all four sides so not to destroy the trousers. All members will wear black socks. White shoelaces will not be used. During inclement weather, Honor Guard members may wear highly polished boots or combat boots while outdoors. Trousers will not be bloused over combat boots.

9.6.7.5. Shoulder Cord. Silver, Army-style, worn on left shoulder next to the shoulder seam. Metallic silver shoulder cord with solid cord across the top and pinned underneath will be worn on top of the epaulet, if present, at the shoulder seam. Shoulder cord should be pinned at the top, front and back to keep cord in place during performances.

9.6.7.6. Pistol Belt. White, 2 1/16-inch wide, with nickel-plated buckles and keepers. All members except flag bearers will wear the belt. The pistol belt should be worn during the performance only. It is to be worn very tight (should be able to put only one finger between the belt and uniform) with the nickel keepers two fingers widths from the buckle on each side.

9.6.7.7. Gloves. White parade gloves. Non-slip palm is recommended. Worn with the top of the glove just above the wrist providing a neat appearance. It may become necessary to tape the gloves. If this becomes necessary, use only white first aid tape. Do not add resin or any other substance to the glove, as this becomes a safety hazard by making the rifle very slippery. When not worn, fold with palm out, place under web belt so that the tops of gloves fold over the top of the belt. Gloves are to be removed from the hands after performance and placed under the belt.

9.6.7.8. Ascot. White with Honor Guard patch centered 3 ½ inches below neckband. A white ascot with a center crease. The Honor Guard patch (creased) will be centered ½ inch from the bottom of the fold after folding the neckband over twice. The ascot will be pulled and pinned at the bottom through the center crease to the T-shirt with a safety pin. Also, pin the ascot on each side with additional safety pins. Secure the ascot behind the neck so you cannot place the little finger between the material and the back of the neck. Pin or tape with white tape, if necessary, to prevent the ends showing outside of the uniform coat. The use of shirt garters (attached to the ascot and the trousers/slacks) is permitted as long as they do not show or will not come undone during the performance.

9.6.7.9. Headgear. Male Service cap with Cadet Officer cap device and rear chinstrap will be worn by all Honor Guard members.

9.6.7.9.1. When the cap is not worn, it is to be carried under the left arm with crown (top) toward the arm and the visor to the front. When cap is to be placed on the head, place the thumb on one side of the cap above the visor, two fingers on the top above the insignia, and the remainder of the fingers on the other side above the visor. Do not touch the visor.

9.6.7.9.2. Securing the black leather rear chin strap into the “up” position: (1) Unscrew the two chrome cap buttons holding the front chin strap in position; (2) Place the rear chin strap so that the strap buckle is to the right of center when viewed from the rear; (3) Screw the chrome cap buttons into place ensuring the wings are in the up position. During a performance, the rear chinstrap will be worn down under the chin.

9.6.7.9.3. Whenever the all-weather coat is worn for a ceremony, the blue rain cover must be worn over the Service Cap. Roll the rain cover underneath the back edges of the Service Cap to produce a snug fit and neat appearance. Rolling the rain cover should be done anytime you wear the Service Cap, regardless of performing in a ceremony or not. If the overcoat is worn during inclement weather, the blue winter cap may be worn.

9.6.8. Parade Rifle. Brown molded polystyrene, non-operating, with white leather sling. Bayonets will not be used.

9.6.9. Outer garment. All-weather coat or topcoat may be worn. The lightweight jacket may be worn to and from performances to prevent the service coat being wrinkled during travel. The coat will be wrinkle free. The belt loops should be removed from the coat for blousing purposes when it is utilized with the white pistol belt.